Rural mail-box.



No. 814,428. PATENTED MAR. 6, 1906. J. A. BROWN & B. BYBEB.

RURAL MAIL BOX. APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 1906.

' QttoznoqS.

I UNITED STATES OFFICE.

RURALOMAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 6, 1906.

Application filed May 1,1905 Serial No. 258,235-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JEROME A. BROWN and BURT BYBEE, citizens of the United States, residing at Portsmouth, in the county of Soioto and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rural Mail- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in mail-boxes, more especially for the rural delivery system.

Objects of the invention are to provide, more particularly, signaling visually the fact that the box or receptacle contains mail or that it does not either to the postman or to the owner or those controlling the use of the box or receptacle, to provide for readily depositing or removing mail at either of two points, according to the greater convenience of the postman or the party for whom the mail is intended, and to provide for carrying out these objects in a simple, expeditious,

.and effective manner.

Said invention consists of certain structural features, including the combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully disclosed and specifically noted.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation, and Fig. 2 is a lateral or end elevation thereof. Fig. '3 is a cross-section, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, of the same. Figs. 5 and 6 are fractional detail views ofthe rotary cylinder, showing opposite sides thereof, one disclosing two colors and the other asingle color.

In the disclosure of this invention the outer and inner receptacles or closures 1 and 2, respectively, are preferably cylindric or circular, the former being secured parallel to its axis upon a support or post 3 in any wellknown or preferred way. That shown consists of a stirrup or keeper 4, fitted and bolted upon the upper end of said post or support, with brackets 5 centrally secured thereto and having lateral curved arms conforming and secured to the outer receptacle or cylinder 1 upon its under side. Said outer receptacle or cylinder 1 has the inner receptacle or cylinder 2 hung or pivoted therein axially, the axis or pivots of the latter cylinder 2 preferably oonsistin one of a short stud or gudgeon 3 and o a stud or gudgeon 3 The pivot or axial stud 3, passing through one the axis of said cylinder 2 head of the cylinder 2, is riveted to one head of the outer cylinder, with the flange of its inner headed portion or end resting against the inner surface of said cylinder-head. The pivot or axial stud 3 is reversely applied, being fixed to the opposite head of the inner cylinder 2 and extending through an aperture in the corresponding head of the cylinder 1, with its projecting end split or produced with a slot 5 in the plane of its axis, Said slot receives the inner end of a manuallyactuated lever 6, arranged at right angles to and having arranged within said slot a lateral lug or extension 6*, through which and the pivot-stud 3 is inserted the pivot-pin 6 of said lever and whereby the latter may be moved in a direction away from and toward the cylinders, particularly the outer one, the purpose of which will be presently apparent. The inner cylinder has an axial or longitudinal opening 2 of suitable cross-section to permit of the dropping of the mail into said cylinder and the ready withdrawal or removal of said mail therefrom. One edge (the normally lower) of said opening has a bead or thick ened surface thereon, as at 2 to limit the arc of the movement of said cylinder, said bead or thickened edge being effective to engage the outer cylinder at the end of the required movement of said cylinder 2 as it is turned in either direction. The inner cylinder 2 has produced thereon certain indicia, as longitudinal marks, streaks, or stripes 2 and 2 preferablyin red and blue paint, respectively, suggestive of the fact that the box or cylinder contains deposited mail and mail for collection or that no mail is therein, this being understood as the significance of said marks. Said marks or indicia have such relation to the lever 6 that as it is actuated presumably after the depositing of mail into the cylinder or box by the postman the fact will be signaled from the opposite side of the cylinder or box toward the residence of the users or owners, that by reversely actuating said lever when mail has been placed therein from the house the fact will be disclosed to the postman and that whereby the fact will be apparent when there is no mail whatever in the box or cylinder.

In order to predetermine' the movement of the lever 6 in accordance with the aforesaid adjustments, eye-ended studs 7 are fixed to the required end of the outer cylinder 1 at the requisite intervals apart, as shown, each of which is adapted to engage an opening or slot 6 in the lever 6 when brought into coincidence with said slot. Said outer stationary cylinder or housing 1 has opposite longitudinal or axial openings 1 and 1 primarily for the introduction of the mail therethrough and its removal or withdrawal, as is apparent, with the lower edges of said openings preferably equipped or faced with strengthening pieces or strips 1, with inward-extended portions for the engagement of the cylinder 2 therewith for cooperating in limiting or prescribing the movement of the latter cylinder.

Plate-like portions or guards 8 are preferably formed with the outer cylinder 1 or the upper section thereof to overhang the entrance-openings 1, and thus shed or drain the water, resulting from rain, snow, &c.,

away from said openings, and thus prevent it obtaining access to the boX or cylinder contents.

In the bottom of the outer cylinder or receptacle is a slit or opening 9 for the escape.

or draining therefrom of any water which may enter the same.

The studs 7 are provided with openings 0 slots through which after inserting the required stud through the lever 6, as above noted, the shackle of a padlock may be passed for guarding the box against being opened by unauthorized persons.

We claim 1. A device or contrivance of the character described, embracing an inner rotary receptacle having a mail receiving and delivering opening, each serving the purpose of the other, an outer stationary receptacle or closure for said rotary receptacle, having registering openings, and a lever for actuating said rotary receptacle, said rotary receptacle having thereon certain suggestive indicia adapted by the actuation of the latter to indicate or signal the fact that mail has been placed in the latter by the postman or carrier, or by the owner of the device, said stationary receptacle being equipped with means for predetermining the interval of movement of said leverand its retention in position. v

2. A device or contrivance of the character described, embracing an inner rotary cylinder and an outer stationary cylinder or closure therefor both having registering mail receiving and delivering openings, a lever for actuating said rotary cylinder, and said stationary cylinder havin projecting therefrom holding-studs for said lever, adapted to predetermine the interval of movement of said lever, said rotary cylinder having thereon certain suggestive indicia adapted in connection with the actuation of said rotary cylinder to indicate or signal the fact that mail has been placed in said rotary cylinder by the postman, or by the owner or those controlling the use of the device.

3. A device or contrivance of the character described, comprising an outer stationary receptacle or cylinder provided with opposite openings and with weather-guards overhanging the latter, and having the bottom edge of each of said openings equipped or faced with a strip extending within the plane of said cylinder, a rotary cylinder arranged within the aforesaid cylinder and also having an opening, one edge of which opening having a head or stop effective to engage the mward-extending portion of said outer cylinder-strips, a lever for actuating said rotary cylinder, and holding-studs secured to said stationary cylinder for said lever, said rotary cylinder having produced thereon certain suggestive indicia adapted, in connection with the actuation of the latter, to indicate or signal the fact that mail has been placed in said rotary cylinder by the carrier or postman, or by the owner of the device.

In testimony whereof we afIiX our signatures in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEROME A. BROWN. BURT BYBEE.

Witnesses:

BENNETT L. J ONES, AUGUST PETERSON. 

